The Nigerian Senate on Wednesday called for urgent assistance for survivors of the devastating tanker explosion that occurred on Tuesday night in Jigawa State, which claimed the lives of over 100 people.
The Senate also observed a minute of silence to honor those who lost their lives in the tragic event.
The Public Relations Officer of the Jigawa State Police Command, Shiisu Adam, confirmed the death toll in a telephone interview with The PUNCH on Wednesday.
According to Adam, approximately 105 people had been confirmed dead, and 55 others were hospitalized with varying degrees of injuries.
The issue was raised by Senator Hussaini Babangida (APC, Jigawa-West) under a matter of urgent public importance. He explained that the explosion occurred along the Hadejia Expressway while individuals were attempting to scoop petrol from a fully-loaded tanker.
“This is one incident too many and it puts immense pressure on our already strained medical facilities,” Babangida stated. “Nearly 100 people lost their lives, and over 300 sustained various degrees of burns.”
In response, the Senate urged the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, along with the National Emergency Management Agency to provide immediate relief to the affected victims. The lawmakers also called on security agencies to implement proactive measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, following the motion, urged the Jigawa State government to support the survivors and to implement awareness campaigns about the dangers of siphoning fuel from disabled tankers.
“This type of incident has happened before in Lagos, Ikeja, and even in my own community,” Akpabio said. “We must take measures to prevent future occurrences.”
In a statement, the Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, expressed deep sorrow over the death of 95 individuals in the petrol tanker explosion in Majiya village, Taura Local Government Area, Jigawa State.
Barau, through his media aide Ismail Mudashir, offered condolences to the government and people of Jigawa State.
“It is with profound sadness that I extend my deepest condolences to the government and people of Jigawa State, particularly the community of Majiya Town in Taura Local Government Area, over the tragic petrol tanker explosion that claimed many lives and left others injured,” Barau said in the statement.
He continued, “My heart goes out to the families who have lost their loved ones, and I offer prayers for the speedy recovery of those hospitalized. May the souls of the departed rest in peace,” he prayed.
